This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
On Monday, a census enumerator in Msambweni Subcounty, Kwale, faced a hostile reaction from a local resident. Melissa Muli from Kilolapwa village poured water on Teresiah Mwaura, citing dissatisfaction with the questions being asked.
The incident was reported at Diani police station, and the suspect was subsequently arrested. This is not an isolated incident, as several other enumerators have faced similar challenges during the census exercise.
Earlier, in Embu town, residents left their gates open to facilitate enumerators' access, but the officials failed to show up. Thieves took advantage of the situation, stealing clothes, washing basins, and shoes from the compounds.
Separately, in Kisumu, police are investigating an incident where an enumerator was raped after being waylaid by two men. The victim's supervisor had offered her a lift, but dropped her off 30 meters from her house, leaving her vulnerable to attack.